While bullpen concerns have plagued the Orioles for much of the season, the same cannot be said for the team?s minor league clubs.
Currently, a number of O?s minor leaguers are considered among the best relievers in their respective leagues. Ottawa Lynx pitchers Julio Manon and Eddy Rodriguez are first and tied for fifth, respectively, in saves in the International League (AAA). Manon had 12 saves while Rodriguez has a 0.37 ERA and eight saves. Both spent time with the Orioles this season.
Also, Bowie Baysox reliever Marino Salas is second in the Eastern League (AA) with 12 saves while Delmarva Shorebird James Hoey leads the South Atlantic League (A) with 16.
“All of those pitchers have done an outstanding job for us this year,” said Dave Stockstill, the Orioles Director of Minor League Operations. “It gives us a lot of options at the major league level, especially Manon and Rodriguez, who are two prime candidates to get called up if we need some bullpen help.”
Ottawa Lynx
First baseman Andy Tracy had two home runs and four RBI in wins over Toledo last week ? Outfielder Val Majewski, who missed all of 2005 with a torn labrum, came up with some key hits last week, including a two-run single in a 3-2 win at Durham. Still, he is batting .221 with two homers and 12 RBI in 24 games ? Outfielder Keith Reed raised his average to .265 through 53 games after a recent eight-game span that included a homer, nine RBI and six runs scored.
Bowie Baysox
Beau Hale, a former first-round pick, continued his comeback after being promoted from Class A Frederick. He was 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA with a walk and two strikeouts in eight innings ? Nick McCurdy picked up his first win and save in victories against Akron … Outfielder Noah Hall is now batting .238 with 13 doubles and 13 RBI after going 6-for-14 last week.
Frederick Keys
Radhames Liz (5-2), who has a 2.30 ERA with 74 strikeouts, had his shortest outing of the season after giving up four earned runs in three innings in a 9-3 loss Friday to Kinston. Nolan Reimold and Paco Figueroa entered this week ranked seventh and eighth in batting average in the Carolina League at .304 and .303, respectively.
Delmarva Shorebirds
Local products Chorye Spoone (CCBC-Catonsville) and Brandon Erbe (McDonogh) are among the top pitchers in the South Atlantic League. Spoone is 5-1 with a league-best 1.80 ERA, while Erbe is 4-3 with a 2.04 ERA.
Minor notes
Joe Jordan, the director of scouting for the Orioles, said on Wednesday the team plans to “make a run” at signing Catonsville High?s Neal Davis. However, Davis has signed with the University of Virginia. He was drafted by the Orioles on Wednesday.
